By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Prevention is often cost effective and beneficial when compared to reaction. Juvenile Services for the 20th Judicial District is playing its part with a pair of primary prevention programs aimed at keeping area youth on the right line toward success. The All Stars program has been implemented in most school districts in Barton County, and the Youth Crew program gives students grades 6-12 an opportunity to get involved in their communities.
The goal of All Stars is to prevent the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and other illicit substances. It was implemented as a pilot program at Riley Elementary in Great Bend. Based on success there, Juvenile Services Director Marissa Woodmansee pushed to have it incorporated in all elementary schools in USD 428. It has since been implemented in USD 431 Hoisington, USD 112 Wilson-Central Plains, and Holy Family school in Great Bend. Woodmansee was recently contacted by USD 355 about implementing the program in Ellinwood.
"All-Stars is an evidence-based program that looks at delaying the onset of substance misuse, bullying, and promiscuity," Woodmansee said. "It enhances bonding with that trusted adult. My favorite part is it starts emphasizing forward thinking for your future. What do you want for your future? And what does substance misuse look like to deter your future should something like that cross your path?"
A celebration is held once sixth graders complete the All Stars program. The students write commitment letters and read them to their families as part of owning up to personal responsibility. Some students have even presented their letters on the radio and at Barton County Commission meetings.
All Stars is a jumping off point for Youth Crew, which is open to all students grades 6-12 who wish to assume a leadership role and be active in their communities. The program started in May 2021, and Tyler Morton was hired as prevention specialist in February 2022 as part of a 10-year Drug Free Communities grant.
"The number of kids we've had has consistently been 14-20," Woodmansee said. "With Tyler being hired in February of this year, we have the momentum and it's like okay, let's break the barrier for some of these other communities and let's go to them. I'm excited. That's what we're doing."
Targeted areas for Barton County youth involve alcohol and marijuana misuse. The county has seen a drop in use over the past few years, but local rates remain higher than state rates. Woodmansee sees room for improvement.
"We would like to be able to contribute that to the programming we are implementing," she said. "This data is collected every year in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12. We'll be able to continue to identify that. Even then, maybe there will be a new trend identified with this year's data collection. I say that because, a couple of kids that are in our Youth Crew, their concern right now is vaping in the school setting. Even though that's not necessarily one of our targeted areas with that grant, specifically, it is something we continue to address with them to be able to have a voice within their community and with those school professionals about how to address it."
One Youth Crew participant recently had the opportunity to attend a national seminar in Florida. She will soon have the opportunity to share her experience with the Barton County Commission. Woodmansee hopes that is just a start to the program.
"There's just going to be more leadership opportunities for these kids going forward," she said. "I think that's something unique that maybe hasn't been afforded in years past."
For more information on Youth Crew, contact Morton by email at tmorton@bartoncounty.org, or call the Juvenile Services office at (620) 793-1930.